Because God’s righteousness cannot be brought about by human anger, Does Not Include Righteous Anger, my dearly beloved brothers and sisters, let all people be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. To rescue your souls, you must put away all evil and dirt and receive the implanted word with humility.In the book of James, verses 18–21,
James had already laid out the concept of God’s perfection in the preceding passages. Let every man be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, in light of that fact, which he gives us as instruction. Being quick to listen and slow to talk teaches us to be slow to anger. Being egocentric and not caring about other people is the root cause of most of our anger and hatred.One method to prioritize others is to be quick to listen.One method to be more people-centered is to speak more slowly.
You only have one mouth, and it’s concealed beneath your lips and teeth. You were only given two ears, after all. To be careful with our words and to listen twice as much as we speak is a wise maxim.
James continues by saying that we should be slow to anger because human anger does not bring about God’s justice. It is important to remember that our anger cannot bring about God’s righteousness, especially in light of the fact that God is good and that temptation is inherent in human nature. Fury is usually a protection mechanism or a technique for us to further our own goals.
Regrettably, there has been an excess of human fury throughout religious history, including Christianity. A tragic illustration of the truth that human anger does not bring about God’s righteousness is when religious individuals resort to violence against others in the name of their convictions, going beyond merely advocating their own faith.
We would do well to direct our attention away from assaulting other people with angry outbursts and onto the immoral desires that reside within ourselves.Consequently, put away every depravity and filth. It alludes to a dirty way of life. The goodness of God and the nature of temptation both teach us that we must separate ourselves from all impurities.
After we’ve fought evil, we’ll make sure to reap good:The implanted word should be received with humility. Instead of living immorally, we should receive God’s implanted word (and do so with humility and a willingness to learn). This word has the power to rescue us in this life and the next. No matter how corrupt this world becomes, the sanctity of God’s word will protect us.
James here made a passing reference to the transformative power of God’s word. The power to save your souls lies in the power of God’s word when it is planted in your heart.
The authority of God is included in God’s word. May it bring His strength to you in this day.
